Great anecdote. I would expect the approach to level-set the relationship from the start. And, in a way, when both sides of the decision to hire take turns asking questions, the participants will find themselves in a better state by cooperating while they may find themselves in a worse state if they do not, which provides prisoner's dilemma outcomes. For example, in a coding interview, I'll go easy on you because I know you'll go easy on me.

And so how did things go from there?